Laurel Lee Cathey

Laurel Lee Cathey: October 28, 1938 – December 27, 2025
Laurel Cathey passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025, with her family at her side. Laurel was born in Dayton Idaho to Lewis and Eula Martin on October 28, 1938, where she was the youngest of six daughters. Laurel spent most of her childhood in Ely and Elko NV, graduating from Elko High School in 1956. She met and married Stanley Madison in 1958 with whom she had three sons, Ronnie, Joel and Scott. She moved to Reno with the family in 1966, where she began her career as a data administrator at the Nevada Bell telephone company where she worked until retiring in 1994.
Laurel married James (Jim) Cathey in 1980, and they remained married for 32 years until his death in 2013. Laurel loved that her family was expanded by adding Jim's three children Cherie, Shawn and Steve, who she always enjoyed spending time with. Laurel and Jim lived in Incline Village until 1994, when they moved to Dayton. From 2014 Laurel spent the rest of her time back in Reno with short periods in Kona and Las Vegas.
Laurel enjoyed spending time in the outdoors with her family, including hunting, fishing, skiing and boating. Later in life she became an avid golfer, having golf course homes in both Dayton and Sun Lakes Arizona. Laurel also loved to travel whenever she had the opportunity.
One of Laurel's joys was spending time with her grandchildren, Bryan and Sarah. She attended every possible activity, whether it was a sporting event or dance recital to show her support. She also enjoyed spending time with her nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Laurel was preceded in death by her husband Jim, sisters Colleen Foster, Una Mariluch, Pearl Faussett, Treece Sheffield, and Val Cunningham, son Scott, stepdaughter Cherie and stepdaughter Shawn. She is survived by her sons Ronnie (Hazel), Joel (Kim), stepson Steve, daughter in-law Lisa (Scott), grandchildren Bryan and Sarah Madison, Brandon Drury (Cherie), Taylor
Doonan (Shawn) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Friday, January 16, with a viewing at Mountain View Mortuary, 425 Stoker Ave., Reno NV 89503 from 10:00am to 12:00pm followed by a graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery at 12:30.